Can you imagine performing in front of over 75,000 people? Well, Honors student and Presidential Scholar, Danica Taylor, will be able to tell you all about it after she travels to Germany for the German Gymnastics Festival in summer 2009.
Danica is currently a freshman double majoring in History and Political Science. Danica was originally drawn to the Honors Program and Presidential Scholars Program because of the many benefits, including early registration and a closer relationship with an advisor. “I’ve heard horror stories about people not being able to get the classes that they needed, not being taken care of or having to take freshman classes as a senior. I think these programs make you feel really secure and make sure you are taken care of,” Danica commented.
When Danica is not working on her schoolwork, she may be found practicing and performing with the Gamma Phi Circus. The Gamma Phi Circus was founded in 1929 and is recognized as the oldest collegiate circus in the United States. Many Illinois State University students try out for one of the highly sought after spots in the troupe, but only about 60 students are chosen to perform and Danica is one of the few. Danica participates in the teeterboard act, which is where she stands on one end of a giant teeter totter, another performer jumps onto the unoccupied end of the board, and then Danica is gracefully propelled off of her end of the board. She also participates in the acrosport act, which encompasses a variety of acrobatic elements, including tumbling. “Gamma Phi Circus is so much fun and such a great experience,” Danica said.
Danica’s troupe has already performed in 7 exhibitions this year, and they have a big road show during the first weekend in April. After the road show, the troupe will take on the ever popular Illinois State University performance during Siblings Weekend in April. Although Danica and the other performers are already expected to practice five hours a day, three times per week, Danica does an extra workout on Wednesdays and even a few more hours on Fridays. Why so much extra practice? Danica, along with 11 other performers were invited to perform at the German Gymnastics Festival in Germany this summer. “There’s about 75,000 participants and 500 international guests. We were asked to come as national guests,” Danica mentioned. If that does not catch your attention, Danica and her group recently auditioned for a spot on the show “America’s Got Talent!”
Although much of Danica’s time is taken up by practice, performances, auditions and schoolwork, she eventually would like to study abroad at the Lorenzo di’ Medici School in Florence, Italy. Danica also hopes to attend law school when she is finished with her undergraduate degrees. When asked if she would use her experiences through Honors and the Presidential Scholars Programs in her future career, Danica said, “I definitely think so. I think the people I’ve been in contact with will be able to help me out and it’s given me so much more confidence in myself – especially as a Presidential Scholar. It’s so humbling to be a part of that select group.”
Her advice for other students? “Definitely get involved, but not in too many things. Be involved with a couple of things that you really, really enjoy. Stay on top of everything, don’t procrastinate, and don’t let everything become too much for you.”
written by: Sasha Boheme